Philippine militants say Canadian hostage killed

By Hader Glang & Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, the Philippines (AA) – A spokesman for a Daesh-affiliated group in the southern Philippines said Monday that the Abu Sayyaf executed a remaining Canadian hostage after their ransom deadline passed.

Abu Raami, the militant group’s designated spokesman told the Philippine Inquirer that they killed Robert Hall after a 600 million peso ($12.9 million) ransom failed to be paid before the 3 p.m. (0100GMT) deadline.

He said Hall’s body could be found somewhere in Jolo, the capital of the southern island province of Sulu, later in the day.

Maj. Filemon Tan, Western Mindanao Command spokesman, said he could not confirm the alleged execution.

“We don’t have reports yet coming from our units on the ground. Will update you as soon as we get data or reports from line units,” the news website quoted him as saying.

Last month, the Abu Sayyaf beheaded another Canadian, Robert Ridsdel, who had been abducted from Samal island alongside Hall, Norwegian Kjartan Sekkingstad and Filipina Marites Flor last September.